The Eliada School of Trade Arts
A Post-Secondary Trade School and Transitional Living Program for Extraordinary Young Men
2 Compton Drive Asheville, NC 28806 www.eliada.org 828.254.5356
About The Eliada School of Trade Arts The Eliada School of Trade Arts (ESTA) is a new post-secondary residential school developed to specifically meet the needs of young men recently transitioning from longterm foster care to adulthood. The mission of ESTA is to promote the development of useful trades, provide opportunities for character development, and cultivate an enthusiastic work ethic that enables students to become successful and respected members of our community. The development of ESTA was driven by the bleak statistics that characterize long-term foster youth. Shuffled between foster or group homes for the majority of their childhood, they are often unequipped and ill prepared for life as independent adults. Overwhelmed by the sudden lack of structure adulthood represents, they find themselves without resources, skills, or support. These young people, males in particular, are at extreme risk for incarceration, substance abuse, homelessness, and early parenthood. They are unlikely to finish high school, let alone complete a college degree. They lack basic skills and education necessary to build a stable future. Without the support of caring educators and mentors to guide them to success, they are likely to fall through the cracks of society. ESTA is poised to offer these youth a unique opportunity. Through vocational and academic training, character development, a support network, and the experience of transitional living, ESTA will give needy young men the tools to become self-sufficient adults and productive members of society.
Foster Care Outcomes: A National Look • 80% of our current prison population in the U.S. is comprised of former foster children. • 25% of children leaving foster care are incarcerated within two years. • 66% of children exiting foster care have not finished high school or obtained a GED by age 19. • 50% of kids within 1.5 years of leaving foster care are unemployed. • 25% are homeless within four years of leaving care. • 3% of former foster children complete a college degree.
Continuation of A Legacy Eliada has served the children and families of Western North Carolina for over 107 years. Originally a home for unwed mothers and later maintained as an orphanage, Eliada has grown to become what is today the region’s premier provider of residential care for highacuity children and adolescents. In addition, Eliada offers foster care, day treatment, child development programming, and therapeutic recreation opportunities in support of its mission: Helping Children Succeed. Eliada’s founder, Dr. Lucius B. Compton, began the organization out of a spiritual conviction to help “the last, the least, and the lost” among society. He held a strong belief that each of us was created for a specific purpose, and that we all have the ability to use adversity in life not to make us victims, but to shape great character. He believed deeply in creating an environment that fostered an “enthusiastic work ethic” in the children that lived at Eliada. He felt this sense of purpose and duty was one of the greatest gifts you could give a young adult; a gift that would provide stability and happiness throughout adulthood. The establishment of ESTA is a natural continuation of Dr. Compton’s original vision and of Eliada’s mission: Helping Children Succeed. For decades, Eliada has pioneered new programs to meet the changing needs of those we serve; this is certainly the most ambitous of those efforts, and the one with the most potential to change the lives of the youth who participate. ESTA is the next incarnation of Eliada’s service to the youth of our region. It is our hope that success in this program will be widely replicated as a statewide or even national model of best practices in serving long-term foster youth.
The historical photos above are evidence of the emphasis Dr. Compton placed on hard work and character. ETSA is a natural extension of this legacy.
Academics TrADE PrOGrAMS Associates Degree & Master Tradesman Programs Year 1 & 2 Culinary Technology Coursework in culinary skill development and restaurant management Year 3 Heating,Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology Emphasis on green technologies & installation Year 4 Construction Management & Arts Emphasis in basic construction skills with coursework in job management, code, bids, and purchasing Year 5 Facility Management Coursework in project management, landscaping, employee management, and facilities maintenance
EDUCATION Vocational Training Fifty percent of instructional time is spent in experiential, hands-on educational opportunities to foster real-world skills. Beginning with the most basic skills and progressing to advanced levels of his chosen trade, each student will have the opportunity to become an expert in his field. During the second year of instruction, students will have the opportunity to participate in a capstone project in conjunction with established businesses in the greater Asheville community. This resume-building experience will give the opportunity to practically apply classroom knowledge to on-the-job projects.
Academic Instruction The remainder of the educational experience takes place in a smart classroom setting. Students will participate in general and business education coursework, including English, Ethics, Finance, Spanish, Public Speaking, and much more. This will ensure that ESTA students are on a level playing field with students in other academic institutions.
Character Development
Values Equally important as the academic and vocational coursework is the character development that ESTA students will receive. Each day will begin with a mandatory chapel service in a non-denominational JudeoChristian atmosphere. Students will benefit from service learning opportunities, teambuilding exercises, and values-driven mentorship.
Faith, Hope & Love, Excellence, Teamwork, and Integrity are the core values that form the moral foundation of the ESTA curriculum. Students are required to commit to ESTA’s core values as well as a rigorous code of conduct that prohibits drug and alcohol use. The development of personal discipline is an important component of the ESTA experience.
Castle Building Each student will develop their character and ethics through opportunities to plan for their future and make important life decisions for themselves. With the assistance of residential advisors and mentors, each student will participate in Eliada's Castle Building curriculum. Castle Building applies the principles of strategic planning to achieve personal success. Organizations use the strategic planning process to identify their mission, vision, values, goals, and action steps. The process also gives organizational leaders the opportunity to objectively think about their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Through strategic planning, organizations are able to set short and long-term goals that enable them to become visionary companies. Castle Building is a program that allows individuals to capitalize on the immense power of the strategic planning process in a very personal and meaningful way. Castle Building explores the student's hopes for: • Their relationship with their future spouse, children, co-workers and friends; • Their spiritual and philosophical beliefs, how they practice those beliefs, and how to incorporate them into daily life; • Their education and career goals; • Their ideal place to live and what role they see themselves playing in the community; • Achieving a healthy lifestyle that will be a part of daily adult life. From admission, Castle Building will be a primary component of the student experience. Students will revisit their strategic plan quarterly, ensuring that they are able to stay focused on their long-term aspirations.
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Student Life rESIDENTIAL LIFE During the academic term, all students are required to live in a campus dormitory at all times. Student housing will be provided in an apartment-style setting, with two students per apartment and a full-time resident Advisor in each building. Housing will accomodate 8 students in the first year, 16 in the second year, and 34 in the third and fourth years. Students will be expected to maintain a standard of cleanliness and hygiene in their living quarters. Amenities include: • Living room and kitchen facilities; • Washers and dryers (free to students); • Workout facilities, including weights, exercise machines, student driving range, a climbing wall, and outdoor pool.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES Each student is required to participate in at least two of the following activities: • 5K Cross Country Team; • Golf Team; • Ambassador Program (tour guide); • Intramural Athletics with UNCA; • Wrestling Team; • Student Government; • Student Newspaper.
LEADErSHIP DEVELOPMENT
CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY
On Saturdays, students will be required to participate in high-adventure team building activities designed to instill confidence, promote a sense of comraderie, and reward positive behaviors. In addition, students will participate in a series of service projects across the community, with a particular emphasis on those that have congruency with their specific field of study. Adventure activities and service projects may involve overnight field trips to locations across the Southeast.
All academic classrooms are “smart” classrooms, and students will have regular access to the internet as well as their own personal laptop computer. Eliada maintains a designated computer lab and state-of-the art projection and videoconferencing technology. Students will be issued a school email account.
A Practical Distinction ACCrEDITATION ESTA is currently undergoing an 18-month accreditation process to achieve recognition through the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Upon receiving this accreditation, ESTA will have the ability to confer AAS degrees and certificates, accept federal financial aid, and negotiate articulation agreements for those students interesting in continuing their education at a four year college or university.
CArEEr PLACEMENT Each student will work with a dedicated counselor to prepare a career assessment plan (CAP). CAP advisors will help students identify key goals and the action steps needed to achieve those goals, be they additional education, specialized training, or expanded work experience. CAP advisors will also network through Eliada’s community partners to identify career placement opportunities for new ESTA graduates.
WHAT CAN STUDENTS DO WITH AN ESTA EDUCATION? CuLINAry TEChNOLOgy
Restaurant Chef Personal Chef Restaurant Owner Caterer Pastry Chef Instructor Line Chef Food & Beverage Administrator Specialty Product Manager Food Writer Cookbook Author hVAC TEChNOLOgy Installation Technician HVAC Engineer
Estimator System Control Specialist Repair Mechanic Equipment Sales Green Technician Energy Retrofit/Energy Audit Specialist CONSTruCTION ArTS
Carpenter Subcontractor Quality Control Specialist Furniture Builder Mason Electrician’s Apprentice Project Manager Purchaser/Supply Management
Tile Installer Roofer Compliance Manager FACILITIES mANAgEmENT
Property Manager Superintendent Landlord Caretaker Facilities Manager Project Manager Maintenance Technician Landscaper Turfgrass Manager
More Than A Degree... A SOLID FOUNDATION FOr SUCCESS ESTA was created for long-term foster youth, without significant resources or support, who are at risk of succumbing to the demographics that currently characterize their peer group. Our goal is to prepare them emotionally, academically, and financially for the real world. To that end, ESTA graduates leave with a variety of tools and resources to enable success, including: • An AAS degree in a specified trade; and job placement assistance, available even after graduation; • real-world work experience through the senior capstone project; • A savings account of nearly $10,000; students will earn money through their work experience ($7,450 • Transitional living experience to foster independence each year), 2/3 of which is required to be restricted gradually; for savings, accessible after graduation; • Opportunities for service learning and high• A network of support comprised of community adventure team building experiences; connections, long-lasting friendships with fellow • Access to long-term individualized career counseling alumni, and staff mentors.
APPLICATION MATErIALS
SELECTION CrITErIA
• Official high school transcript or GED documents;
• Male US citizen;
• Official, state-issued birth certificate;
• 19 years or younger at the start of first term;
• Copy of recent physical and immunization record; • Letter indicating applicant’s goals and motivation to seek admission;
• Unmarried;
• Letters of character reference from non-family members;
• Negative drug screen;
• Personal interview with members of Eliada’s senior management and Board of Trustees; • Signed contractual agreement stating expectations for academic performance, progress toward trade skills, and conduct (provided once admission is offered); • Signed authorization form allowing Eliada to seek aid sources on applicant’s behalf; • Signed photo and media information release. Students wishing more detailed information or requesting application materials are invited to contact Eliada CEO Mark Upright at mupright@eliada.org or by phoning 828.254.5356 x 105.
• High school diploma; • In good health;
• Financially disadvantaged; access to less than $10,000 in personal resources; • Primary consideration given to former Eliada students.
Eliada School of Trade Arts Two Compton Drive Asheville, NC 28806 www.eliada.org 828.254.5356 (p) 828.259.5384 (f)